Chelsea and Liverpool to rival Man City for Kaduna-born Nigerian striker

There has been no shortage of admirers for one of Nigeria’s hottest properties in Spain, with the English giants joining a long queue of clubs haggling for his signature

Authoritative Spanish sports publication Elgol Digital reports that European champions Chelsea and dethroned Premier League kings Liverpool have registered their interests in signing Almeria’s top striker Umar Sadiq.

Chelsea only this summer brought back Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku from Italian champions Inter Milan, with the Blues also boasting the attacking talents of German star Timo Werner.

Rivals Liverpool are also well-stocked in the attacking department, with manager Jurgen Klopp able to call on the fearsome quartet of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Jota, and Firmino.

Still, Sadiq’s profile has been difficult to ignore for the English giants and some of the biggest clubs on the continent.

The Kaduna-born striker scored 20 league goals in his debut season in the Spanish La Liga Smartbank and has already notched four in six matches this term, including an impressive double in the defeat of Alcorcon last weekend.

Bought for only €5 million from Partizan Belgrade last summer, the former AS Roma starlet is presently Almeria’s most valuable player with an estimated transfer value of €15 million.

However, Almeria are reportedly demanding €30 million from any interested suitor, with Man City and Bayern Munich believed to have submitted bids for the Nigerian star.

La Liga side Getafe had two offers rejected for Sadiq in August, while Sevilla have also been credited with an interest in the 24-year-old.

However, Almeria have other plans for Sadiq as, according to Elgol Digital, La Union are looking to increase the striker’s salary and hand him an improved contract.

Sadiq’s current contract does not expire until June 30, 2025.